The debate about SOGIE bill pros and cons has been around since the draft came to light two decades ago. It has fueled a series of reaction papers and it seems like the whole world talked about it.

When the SOGIE bill is receiving support and criticism, it’s important for Corner4men to provide our readers with everything they need to know about it:

What Is SOGIE Bill?

Before we discuss SOGIE bill pros and cons, let’s take a look at what it really is. SOGIE is short for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression.

Now let’s define ‘sexual orientation.’ The term means to whom a person is sexually attracted. It is divided into five subcategories:

• Straight: a person who is attracted by the opposite gender.
• Asexual: have no sexual attraction to anyone.
• Gay: a man with attraction to other men.
• Bisexual: a person who is attracted by both genders.
• Lesbian: a woman attracted to other women.

The term ‘gender identity’ means what a person feels and presents his or her gender. It is further divided into transgender and cisgender. The latter means a person feels that his or her gender has been correctly defined at birth while the former means the assigned gender of the person is incorrect.

And last but not least, ‘gender expression’ is how a person shows his or her gender. It includes the way they speak, dress, and live.

Purpose Of SOGIE Bill

In the discussion of SOGIE bill pros and cons, the most obvious advantage is also the main purpose of the bill – to protect Filipinos of the LGBTQ in the face of discrimination.

While people of the LGBTQ community are protected on papers, abusing is still widespread. This justifies the SOGIE bill which seeks to impose fines and punishments on those showing discrimination based on a person’s gender identities and sexual orientation.

The Philippines still has several social issues that need to be addressed, like the lack of sex education for example.

All About SOGIE Bill

The draft outlines actions that are defined as discrimination. Anyone who executes these listed actions is deemed to be tried in court.

The activities deemed discriminatory include:

• Harassment by military or police.
• Denial of access to health establishments.
• Revocation or denial of registration of organizations, political party, or institution, accreditation, or formal recognition.
• Subjection to medical or physical examinations without one’s consent.
• Denial or expulsion from learning institute.

The SOGIE bill (or the ADB - Anti-discriminatory bill) was proposed by the Congress of the Philippines. It was first put forward in 2000 by Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Etta Rosales.

Where Does The SOGIE Bill Means To Marriage?

The bill, even if it is passed, doesn’t mean the approval of same-sex marriage. Its ultimate goal is to fight against discrimination.  

Is SOGIE Bill Approved?

During the 11^th Congress, the SOGIE bill went through the House of Representatives’ third reading but was later stalled. In the 14^th Congress, it successfully came to the committee level but in the 15^th and 1th Congress, it reaped no success.

SOGIE Bill Pros And Cons

Here are SOGIE bill pros and cons:

Disadvantages of SOGIE bill:

• The laws might be exploited by members of the LGBTQ community as a weapon to threaten those who go against their terms.
• Transgender might go beyond the limit of moral principles and behavior.
• The bill might undermine academic principles and freedoms.

Advantages of SOGIE bill:

• The bill tries to correct the reactions of people to others based on their sexual orientation.
• If the bill is passed, members of the LGBTQ community will be able to have access to public facilities without facing discrimination.

The SOGIE bill pros and cons are obvious and it has received strong support from Filipinos, including politicians, celebrities, and right activists.